Sestrin family - the stem controlling healthy ageing

Sestrins are a family of stress-responsive antioxidant proteins responsible for regulation of cell viability and metabolism. The best known Sestrin targets are mTORC1 and mTORC2 kinases that control different cellular processes including growth, viability, autophagy, and mitochondrial metabolism. Inactivation of the single Sestrin gene in invertebrates has an adverse impact on their healthspan and longevity, whereas each of the three Sestrin genes in mammals and other vertebrate organisms has a different impact on maintenance of a particular tissue, affecting its stress tolerance, function and regenerative capability. As a result, Sestrins attenuate ageing and suppress development of many age-related diseases including myocardial infarction, muscle atrophy, diabetes, and immune dysfunction, but exacerbate development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Moreover, Sestrins play opposite roles in carcinogenesis in different tissues. Stem cells support tissue remodelling that influences ageing, and Sestrins might suppress ageing and age-related pathologies through control of stem cell biology. In this review, we will discuss the potential link between Sestrins, stem cells, and ageing.

Mitochondrial localization of SESN2

SESN2 is a member of the evolutionarily conserved sestrin protein family found in most of the Metazoa species. The SESN2 gene is transcriptionally activated by many stress factors, including metabolic derangements, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and DNA-damage. As a result, SESN2 controls ROS accumulation, metabolism, and cell viability. The best-known function of SESN2 is the inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 kinase (mTORC1) that plays a central role in support of cell growth and suppression of autophagy. SESN2 inhibits mTORC1 activity through interaction with the GATOR2 protein complex preventing an inhibitory effect of GATOR2 on the GATOR1 protein complex. GATOR1 stimulates GTPase activity of the RagA/B small GTPase, the component of RagA/B:RagC/D complex, preventing mTORC1 translocation to the lysosomes and its activation by the small GTPase Rheb. Despite the well-established role of SESN2 in mTORC1 inhibition, other SESN2 activities are not well-characterized. We recently showed that SESN2 could control mitochondrial function and cell death via mTORC1-independent mechanisms, and these activities might be explained by direct effects of SESN2 on mitochondria. In this work, we examined mitochondrial localization of SESN2 and demonstrated that SESN2 is located on mitochondria and can be directly involved in the regulation of mitochondrial functions.

Sestrin prevents atrophy of disused and aging muscles by integrating anabolic and catabolic signals

A unique property of skeletal muscle is its ability to adapt its mass to changes in activity. Inactivity, as in disuse or aging, causes atrophy, the loss of muscle mass and strength, leading to physical incapacity and poor quality of life. Here, through a combination of transcriptomics and transgenesis, we identify sestrins, a family of stress-inducible metabolic regulators, as protective factors against muscle wasting. Sestrin expression decreases during inactivity and its genetic deficiency exacerbates muscle wasting; conversely, sestrin overexpression suffices to prevent atrophy. This protection occurs through mTORC1 inhibition, which upregulates autophagy, and AKT activation, which in turn inhibits FoxO-regulated ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated proteolysis. This study reveals sestrin as a central integrator of anabolic and degradative pathways preventing muscle wasting. Since sestrin also protected muscles against aging-induced atrophy, our findings have implications for sarcopenia.

p53-inducible SESTRINs might play opposite roles in the regulation of early and late stages of lung carcinogenesis

SESTRINs (SESN1-3) are proteins encoded by an evolutionarily conserved gene family that plays an important role in the regulation of cell viability and metabolism in response to stress. Many of the effects of SESTRINs are mediated by negative and positive regulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1 and mTORC2), respectively, that are often deregulated in human cancers where they support cell growth, proliferation, and cell viability. Besides their effects on regulation of mTORC1/2, SESTRINs also control the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, cell death, and mitophagy. SESN1 and SESN2 are transcriptional targets of tumor suppressor protein p53 and may mediate tumor suppressor activities of p53. Therefore, we conducted studies based on a mouse lung cancer model and human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells to evaluate the potential impact of SESN1 and SESN2 on lung carcinogenesis. While we observed that expression of SESN1 and SESN2 is often decreased in human tumors, inactivation of Sesn2 in mice positively regulates tumor growth through a mechanism associated with activation of AKT, while knockout of Sesn1 has no additional impact on carcinogenesis in Sesn2-deficient mice. However, inactivation of SESN1 and/or SESN2 in A549 cells accelerates cell proliferation and imparts resistance to cell death in response to glucose starvation. We propose that despite their contribution to early tumor growth, SESTRINs might suppress late stages of carcinogenesis through inhibition of cell proliferation or activation of cell death in conditions of nutrient deficiency.

[Sestrins are Gatekeepers in the Way from Stress to Aging and Disease]

Sestrins belong to a family of evolutionary conserved proteins which are found in the majority of animal species. While invertebrate genomes contain only one sestrin gene, mammalian and other vertebrate genomes comprise three highly homologous genes that encode Sestrin 1, 2 and 3 proteins (Sesn1, Sesn2 and Sesn3). Sestrins are activated in response to a variety of stimuli and trigger metabolic shifts promoting cell survival under stress conditions. Although cellular stress within an organism is often caused by external stimuli it can be induced by excess of cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species which are produced during aberrant metabolic or immune processes and are involved in regulation of cell physiological states including cell death. Activation of sestrins facilitates cell adaptation to stress through stimulation of antioxidant response and autophagy through regulation of the signaling pathways mediated by AMPK and mTOR kinases. These activities are involved in protection of the organism during physical exercise and certain level of sestrins activity contributes to the development of age-related diseases. However, prolonged activation of sestrins under chronic stress may cause negative effects for the organism.

Genetic and epigenetic inactivation of SESTRIN1 controls mTORC1 and response to EZH2 inhibition in follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable form of B cell lymphoma. Genomic studies have cataloged common genetic lesions in FL such as translocation t(14;18), frequent losses of chromosome 6q, and mutations in epigenetic regulators such as EZH2 Using a focused genetic screen, we identified SESTRIN1 as a relevant target of the 6q deletion and demonstrate tumor suppression by SESTRIN1 in vivo. Moreover, SESTRIN1 is a direct target of the lymphoma-specific EZH2 gain-of-function mutation (EZH2^Y641X ). SESTRIN1 inactivation disrupts p53-mediated control of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and enables mRNA translation under genotoxic stress. SESTRIN1 loss represents an alternative to RRAGC mutations that maintain mTORC1 activity under nutrient starvation. The antitumor efficacy of pharmacological EZH2 inhibition depends on SESTRIN1, indicating that mTORC1 control is a critical function of EZH2 in lymphoma. Conversely, EZH2^Y641X mutant lymphomas show increased sensitivity to RapaLink-1, a bifunctional mTOR inhibitor. Hence, SESTRIN1 contributes to the genetic and epigenetic control of mTORC1 in lymphoma and influences responses to targeted therapies.

Implication of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes as ATF4 regulated components of the integrated stress response

The ATF4 transcription factor is a key regulator of the adaptive integrated stress response (ISR) induced by various stresses and pathologies. Identification of novel transcription targets of ATF4 during ISR would contribute to the understanding of adaptive networks and help to identify novel therapeutic targets. We were previously searching for genes that display an inverse regulation mode by the transcription factors ATF4 and p53 in response to mitochondrial respiration chain complex III inhibition. Among the selected candidates the human genes for cytokeratine 16 (KRT16), anti-apoptotic protein Niban (FAM129A) and hexokinase HKDC1 have been found highly responsive to ATF4 overexpression. Here we explored potential roles of the induction of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes in ISR. As verified by RT-qPCR, a dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration chain and ER stress resulted in a partially ATF4-dependent stimulation of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 expression in the HCT116 colon carcinoma cell line. ISRIB, a specific inhibitor of ISR, was able to downregulate the ER stress-induced levels of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 transcripts. An inhibition of ATF4 by RNAi attenuated the induction of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 mRNAs in response to ER stress or to a dysfunctional mitochondrial respiration. The similar induction of the three genes was observed in another tumor-derived cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa. However, in HaCaT and HEK293T cells that display transformed phenotypes, but do not originate from patient-derived tumors, the ER stress-inducing treatments resulted in an upregulation of FAM129A and HKDC1, but not KRT16 transcripts, By a luciferase reporter approach we identified a highly active ATF4-responsive element within the upstream region of the KRT16 gene. The results suggest a conditional regulation of KRT16 gene by ATF4 that may be inhibited in normal cells, but engaged during cancer progression. Potential roles of KRT16, FAM129A and HKDC1 genes upregulation in adaptive stress responses and pathologies are discussed.

Sestrin2 facilitates death receptor-induced apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells through regulation of XIAP degradation

Apoptosis plays a critical physiological role in controlling cell number and eliminating damaged, non-functional and transformed cells. Cancerous cells as well as some types of normal cells are often resistant to cell death induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines through death receptors. This potentially allows cancer cells to evade the control from the immune system and to proceed toward a more malignant stage, although the mechanisms of this evasion are not well established. We have recently identified the stress-responsive Sestrin2 protein as a critical regulator of cell viability under stress conditions. Sestrin2 is a member of a small family of antioxidant proteins and inhibitors of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase. Down-regulation of Sestrin1/2 leads to genetic instability and accelerates the growth of lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Here we addressed the potential role of Sestrin2 in regulation of cell death induced by TNFR1 and related Fas and TRAIL receptors in lung adenocarcinoma cells. We found that Sestrin2 silencing strongly inhibits cytokine-induced cell death through a mechanism independent of ROS and mTORC1 regulation. We determined that the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) plays a critical role in the control of cytokine-induced cell death by Sestrin2. Thus our study defines a new, previously unrecognized role of Sestrin2 in the regulation of apoptosis.

Sestrin2 is induced by glucose starvation via the unfolded protein response and protects cells from non-canonical necroptotic cell death

Sestrin2 is a member of a family of stress responsive proteins, which controls cell viability via antioxidant activity and regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin protein kinase (mTOR). Sestrin2 is induced by different stress insults, which diminish ATP production and induce energetic stress in the cells. Glucose is a critical substrate for ATP production utilized via glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration as well as for glycosylation of newly synthesized proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Thus, glucose starvation causes both energy deficiency and activation of ER stress followed by the unfolding protein response (UPR). Here, we show that UPR induces Sestrin2 via ATF4 and NRF2 transcription factors and demonstrate that Sestrin2 protects cells from glucose starvation-induced cell death. Sestrin2 inactivation sensitizes cells to necroptotic cell death that is associated with a decline in ATP levels and can be suppressed by Necrostatin 7. We propose that Sestrin2 protects cells from glucose starvation-induced cell death via regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis.

SESTRINs regulate mTORC1 via RRAGs: The riddle of GATOR

SESTRINs, proteins encoded by the SESN1-3 genes in mammals, are well-established suppressors of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase. Recently, we found that SESTRINs bind the GATOR2 protein complex, which is a regulator of RRAGA/B guanosine triphosphatase. Three independent studies support the RRAGA/B-dependence of mTORC1 regulation by SESTRINs; however, the role of GATOR2 in this process requires clarification.

The role of tumor suppressor p53 in the antioxidant defense and metabolism

Tumor suppressor p53 is inactivated in most cancers and the critical role of p53 in the suppression of carcinogenesis has been confirmed in many mouse models. The protein product of the tumor suppressor p53 gene works as a transcriptional regulator, activating expression of numerous genes involved in cell death, cell cycle arrest, senescence, DNA-repair and many other processes. In spite of the multiple efforts to characterize the functions of p53, the mechanisms of tumor suppression by p53 are still elusive. Recently, new activities of p53 such as regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metabolism have been described and the p53-regulated genes responsible for these functions have been identified. Metabolic derangements and accumulation of ROS are features of carcinogenesis, supporting the idea that many tumor suppressive effects of p53 can be mediated by regulation of metabolism and/or ROS. Mutations in the p53 gene can not only inactivate wild type function of p53 but also endow p53 with new functions such as activation of new metabolic pathways contributing to carcinogenesis. Understanding the metabolic and antioxidant functions of p53 allows us to develop approaches to restore p53 function in cancers, where p53 is inactivated, in other to ensure the best outcome of anti-cancer treatment.

Sestrin2 protein positively regulates AKT enzyme signaling and survival in human squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma cells

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and is mainly caused by environmental UV radiation. Reducing skin cancer incidence is becoming an urgent issue. The stress-inducible protein Sestrin2 (Sesn2) plays an important role in maintaining redox and metabolic homeostasis and their related pathologies. However, the role of Sesn2 in cancer remains unclear. Here we show that UVB radiation induces Sesn2 expression in normal human keratinocytes, mouse skin, normal human melanocytes, and melanoma cells. In addition, Sesn2 promotes AKT activation through a PTEN-dependent mechanism. Sesn2 deletion or knockdown sensitizes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells to 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis and melanoma cells to UVB- and vemurafenib-induced apoptosis. In mice Sesn2 knockdown suppresses tumor growth from injected human SCC and melanoma cells. Last, as compared with normal skin, Sesn2 is up-regulated in both human skin SCC and melanoma. Our findings demonstrate that Sesn2 promotes AKT activation and survival in response to UVB stress and chemotherapeutics and suggest that Sesn2 is oncogenic in skin SCC and melanoma.

Stress-responsive sestrins link p53 with redox regulation and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling

The tumor suppressor p53 protects organisms from most types of cancer through multiple mechanisms. The p53 gene encodes a stress-activated transcriptional factor that transcriptionally regulates a large set of genes with versatile functions. These p53-activated genes mitigate consequences of stress regulating cell viability, growth, proliferation, repair, and metabolism. Recently, we described a novel antioxidant function of p53, which is important for its tumor suppressor activity. Among the many antioxidant genes activated by p53, Sestrins (Sesns) are critical for suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protection from oxidative stress, transformation, and genomic instability. Sestrins can regulate ROS through their direct effect on antioxidant peroxiredoxin proteins and through the AMP-activated protein kinase-target of rapamycin signaling pathway. The AMP-activated protein kinase-target of rapamycin axis is critical for regulation of metabolism and autophagy, two processes associated with ROS production, and deregulation of this pathway increases vulnerability of the organism to stress, aging, and age-related diseases, including cancer. Recently, we have shown that inactivation of Sestrin in fly causes accumulation of age-associated damage. Hence, Sestrins can link p53 with aging and age-related diseases.

Stressin' Sestrins take an aging fight

Sestrins (Sesns) are a family of highly conserved stress-responsive proteins, transcriptionally regulated by p53 and forkhead transcription factor that exhibit oxidoreductase activity in vitro and can protect cells from oxidative stress. However, their major biochemical and physiological function does not appear to depend on their redox (reduction and oxidation) activity. Sesns promote activation of adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP)-dependent protein kinase in both mammals and flies. Stress-induced Sesn expression results in inhibition of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) and the physiological and pathological implications of disrupting the Sesns-TORC1 crosstalk are now being unravelled. Detailing their mechanism of action and exploring their roles in human physiology point to exciting new insights to topics as diverse as stress, cancer, metabolism and aging.

Sestrin as a feedback inhibitor of TOR that prevents age-related pathologies

Sestrins are conserved proteins that accumulate in cells exposed to stress, potentiate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibit activation of target of rapamycin (TOR). We show that the abundance of Drosophila sestrin (dSesn) is increased upon chronic TOR activation through accumulation of reactive oxygen species that cause activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase and transcription factor Forkhead box O (FoxO). Loss of dSesn resulted in age-associated pathologies including triglyceride accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, muscle degeneration, and cardiac malfunction, which were prevented by pharmacological activation of AMPK or inhibition of TOR. Hence, dSesn appears to be a negative feedback regulator of TOR that integrates metabolic and stress inputs and prevents pathologies caused by chronic TOR activation that may result from diminished autophagic clearance of damaged mitochondria, protein aggregates, or lipids.

p53 target genes sestrin1 and sestrin2 connect genotoxic stress and mTOR signaling

The tumor suppressor p53 is activated upon genotoxic and oxidative stress and in turn inhibits cell proliferation and growth through induction of specific target genes. Cell growth is positively regulated by mTOR, whose activity is inhibited by the TSC1:TSC2 complex. Although genotoxic stress has been suggested to inhibit mTOR via p53-mediated activation of mTOR inhibitors, the precise mechanism of this link was unknown. We now demonstrate that the products of two p53 target genes, Sestrin1 and Sestrin2, activate the AMP-responsive protein kinase (AMPK) and target it to phosphorylate TSC2 and stimulate its GAP activity, thereby inhibiting mTOR. Correspondingly, Sestrin2-deficient mice fail to inhibit mTOR signaling upon genotoxic challenge. Sestrin1 and Sestrin2 therefore provide an important link between genotoxic stress, p53 and the mTOR signaling pathway.

[Transcriptional inhibition of human papilloma virus in cervical carcinoma cells reactivates functions of the tumor suppressor p53]

Inactivation of tumor suppressor p53 accompanies the majority of malignant diseases in humans. Restoration of p53 functions in tumor results in death of cancer cells, which can be used in cancer therapy. In cervical cancer a product of E6 gene of the human papilloma virus promotes accelerated degradation of p53 in proteasome system. Therefore, one of the approaches to reactivation of p53 in cervical carcinoma cells could be the use of small molecules that inhibit functions of viral proteins. By using as a test system human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa cell line bearing human papilloma virus type 18, HPV-18) with introduced reporter construct that expresses beta-galactosidase under control of a p53-dependent promoter we carried out screening of a library of small molecules to select small molecules capable of reactivating transcriptional activity of p53. We then characterized the effects of two most active compounds in cell lines that differ in the status of p53-dependent signaling pathway. Both of the compounds caused specific activation of p53 in the cell lines expressing HPV-18, to a lesser extent--HPV-16, and do not cause any effect in control p53 negative cells, or in the cells with undisrupted p53 pathway. Activation of p53 in cervical carcinoma cells was accompanied by the induction of the p53-dependent gene CDKN1 (p21), by inhibition of proliferation, and by the induction of apoptosis. Both of the compounds were capable of deep inhibition of transcription from the HPV genome, which apparently was the cause for p53 reactivation in response to decreased expression of the E6 protein. The observed low toxicity for normal cells allows considering these chemical compounds as prototypes for future anticancer drugs.

The antioxidant function of the p53 tumor suppressor

It is widely accepted that the p53 tumor suppressor restricts abnormal cells by induction of growth arrest or by triggering apoptosis. Here we show that, in addition, p53 protects the genome from oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS), a major cause of DNA damage and genetic instability. In the absence of severe stresses, relatively low levels of p53 are sufficient for upregulation of several genes with antioxidant products, which is associated with a decrease in intracellular ROS. Downregulation of p53 results in excessive oxidation of DNA, increased mutation rate and karyotype instability, which are prevented by incubation with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Dietary supplementation with NAC prevented frequent lymphomas characteristic of Trp53-knockout mice, and slowed the growth of lung cancer xenografts deficient in p53. Our results provide a new paradigm for a nonrestrictive tumor suppressor function of p53 and highlight the potential importance of antioxidants in the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer.

Regeneration of peroxiredoxins by p53-regulated sestrins, homologs of bacterial AhpD

Acting as a signal, hydrogen peroxide circumvents antioxidant defense by overoxidizing peroxiredoxins (Prxs), the enzymes that metabolize peroxides. We show that sestrins, a family of proteins whose expression is modulated by p53, are required for regeneration of Prxs containing Cys-SO(2)H, thus reestablishing the antioxidant firewall. Sestrins contain a predicted redox-active domain homologous to AhpD, the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of a bacterial Prx, AhpC. Purified Hi95 (sestrin 2) protein supports adenosine triphosphate-dependent reduction of overoxidized PrxI in vitro, indicating that unlike AhpD, which is a disulfide reductase, sestrins are cysteine sulfinyl reductases. As modulators of peroxide signaling and antioxidant defense, sestrins constitute potential therapeutic targets.

Cooperation of two mutant p53 alleles contributes to Fas resistance of prostate carcinoma cells

Both inactivation of p53 function and loss of sensitivity to Fas contribute to a malignant phenotype and frequently occur during tumor progression. Although in the majority of cases only one of the p53 alleles is mutated, some tumors acquire mutations in both alleles of the p53 gene. To determine the biological significance of this phenomenon, we analyzed p53 mutants, p53(223Leu) and p53(274Phe), from Fas-resistant prostate carcinoma cell line DU145. Both mutants differed from wild-type p53 in their conformation, transactivation ability, and effect on the growth of p53-deficient cells, with p53(223Leu) being more similar to wild-type p53 than was p53(274Phe). Interestingly, the biological effect of coexpression of the DU145-derived mutants was dramatically different from that of each mutant expressed alone. Whereas neither of the two mutants was found to be dominant-negative against wild-type p53, each neutralized the other's growth-suppressive effects and, in combination, were capable of down-regulating Fas expression and converting Fas-sensitive prostate carcinoma cells PC3 into Fas-resistant ones. These results indicate that two different p53 mutants that are separately rather weak can cooperate to generate p53 protein with anti-Fas function that is likely to provide additional selective advantages to the tumor.

Identification of a novel stress-responsive gene Hi95 involved in regulation of cell viability

cDNA microarray hybridization was used in an attempt to identify novel genes participating in cellular responses to prolonged hypoxia. One of the identified novel genes, designated Hi95 shared significant homology to a p53-regulated GADD family member PA26. In addition to its induction in response to prolonged hypoxia, the increased Hi95 transcription was observed following DNA damage or oxidative stress, but not following hyperthermia or serum starvation. Whereas induction of Hi95 by prolonged hypoxia or by oxidative stress is most likely p53-independent, its induction in response to DNA damaging treatments (gamma- or UV-irradiation, or doxorubicin) occurs in a p53-dependent manner. Overexpression of Hi95 full-length cDNA was found toxic for many types of cultured cells directly leading either to their apoptotic death or to sensitization to serum starvation and DNA damaging treatments. Unexpectedly, conditional overexpression of the Hi95 cDNA in MCF7-tet-off cells resulted in their protection against cell death induced by hypoxia/glucose deprivation or H(2)O(2). Thus, Hi95 gene seems to be involved in complex regulation of cell viability in response to different stress conditions.

High constitutive level of NF-kappaB is crucial for viability of adenocarcinoma cells

Most of cells exhibit low nuclear level of NF-kappaB. However, in some cell lines and tissues aberrantly activated NF-kappaB is playing an important role in cell motility, growth control and survival. Here we describe the result of decrease of constitutive NF-kappaB level in different adenocarcinoma cell lines. Treatment of mouse adenocarcinoma cell line CSML-100 with both synthetic (TPCK or PDTC) or natural (I(kappaB)-alpha) NF-kappaB inhibitors caused apoptotic death. Low doses of TPCK were harmless for CSML100 cells but sensitized them to TNF-induced apoptosis. Death of CSML100 cells in the presence of high concentration TPCK was not accompanied with significant changes in c-myc activity but strongly correlated with rapid decrease in p53 level. Thus, mutual behavior p53 and NF-kappaB represented a unique feature of TPCK-induced apoptosis in CSML-100 adenocarcinoma cells.

[Construction by using retrovirus vector of recombinant with synthetic bradykinin "gene" for investigations of human gene expression in mammalian cells]

The synthetic gene of bradykinin was built into the retrovirus vector pPS-3-neo under the guidance of LTR promotor, followed by pPS-3-neo (brd) vector transfection of strain 293 cells. The physiological activity of the expressed bradykinin was tested on cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The culture medium of strain 293 cells transferred by pPS-3-neo (brd) produces a positive chronotropic effect that is directly related to the time parameters of preparation of recombinant bradykinin, which are comparable with the curve of chronotropic effect of synthetic bradykinin at concentrations of 10(-17) to 10(-16) M. The control of bradykinin "gene" expression was due to the lack of chronotropic responses of cardiomyocytes to the kinin receptor blocker parmidine and the transfection of strain 293 cells with the retrovirus vector without bradykinin "gene".